Hands-free sample insertion apparatus and methods

Abstract

A sample insertion apparatus enabling a sample to be inserted into a diagnostic analyzer in a hands-free manner. The sample insertion apparatus includes an insertion head having a coupler configured to couple to a sample container having an insertion member, an arm containing a sample probe positioned stationary relative to the arm, and a retraction assembly coupled to the insertion head and configured to cause the sample container to move towards the sample probe to insert the sample probe into the insertion member. Sample insertion and operating methods for hands-free insertion of a sample into a diagnostic analyzer are described, as are other aspects.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A sample insertion apparatus, comprising:
 an insertion head having a coupler configured to couple to a sample container having an insertion member;   an arm containing a sample probe positioned stationary relative to the arm; and   a retraction assembly coupled to the insertion head and configured to cause the sample container to move towards the sample probe to insert the sample probe into the insertion member.   
     
     
         2 . The sample insertion apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the sample container is a syringe. 
     
     
         3 . The sample insertion apparatus of  claim 2 ,
 wherein the insertion member comprises a penetrable membrane of the syringe.   
     
     
         4 . The sample insertion apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the retraction assembly comprises:
 a guide assembly, and   a drive assembly.   
     
     
         5 . The sample insertion apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the guide assembly comprises:
 a guide member coupleable to a body of the sample insertion apparatus;   a guide rod assembly including one or more guide rods moveable in the guide member;   an insertion head receiver attached to the one or more guide rods, wherein the insertion head is coupled to the insertion head receiver; and   a drive bracket secured to the one or more guide rods.   
     
     
         6 . The sample insertion apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the drive bracket comprises a lead nut. 
     
     
         7 . The sample insertion apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the insertion head is located offset from a line of action of the one or more guide rods. 
     
     
         8 . The sample insertion apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the drive assembly comprises:
 a mounting bracket coupleable to a body of the sample insertion apparatus;   a drive motor coupled to the mounting bracket;   a lead screw; and   a transmission assembly coupled to the drive motor and the lead screw.   
     
     
         9 . The sample insertion apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the lead screw engages with a lead nut coupled to a drive bracket. 
     
     
         10 . The sample insertion apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the a transmission assembly comprises a first pulley coupled to the drive motor, a second pulley coupled to the lead screw, and a belt engaging the first pulley and the second pulley. 
     
     
         11 . A sample insertion apparatus, comprising:
 a body;   a moveable insertion head having a coupler configured to couple to a coupling end of a syringe, the syringe having an insertion member;   an arm containing a sample probe positioned stationary relative to the arm; and   a retraction assembly coupled to the moveable insertion head and configured to cause the syringe to move towards the sample probe to insert the sample probe into the insertion member, wherein the retraction assembly comprises:   a guide assembly, comprising:
 a guide member coupleable to a body of the sample insertion apparatus, 
 a guide rod assembly including one or more guide rods moveable in the guide member, an insertion head receiver attached to the one or more guide rods, and the moveable insertion head coupled to the insertion head receiver, and 
 a drive bracket secured to the one or more guide rods; and 
   a drive assembly, comprising:
 a mounting bracket coupleable to a body of the sample insertion apparatus, 
 a drive motor coupled to the mounting bracket, 
 a lead screw, and 
 a transmission assembly coupled to the drive motor and the lead screw. 
   
     
     
         12 . A sample insertion method, comprising:
 providing an insertion head of a sample insertion apparatus in an extended position;   providing an arm proximate to the insertion head, the arm including a sample probe;   coupling a sample container to the insertion head, the sample container including an insertion member; and   retracting from the extended position, with the aid of a guide assembly and a drive assembly, the insertion head towards the arm and the sample probe to cause insertion of the insertion member of the sample container over the sample probe.   
     
     
         13 . The sample insertion method of  claim 12 , where the coupling of the sample container to the insertion head comprises first coupling the insertion head to an insertion head receiver. 
     
     
         14 . The sample insertion method of  claim 12 , wherein the guide assembly guides the insertion head in a linear path when undergoing the retracting from the extended position. 
     
     
         15 . The sample insertion method of  claim 12 , wherein the retracting from the extended position comprises driving a drive bracket of the guide assembly with the drive assembly. 
     
     
         16 . The sample insertion method of  claim 15 , wherein the driving the drive bracket comprises driving a transmission assembly coupled to a drive motor, which in turn causes rotation of a lead screw coupled to a lead nut attached to the drive bracket. 
     
     
         17 . The sample insertion method of  claim 12 , comprising drawing in the sample following the insertion of the sample probe into the insertion member of the sample container. 
     
     
         18 . The sample insertion method of  claim 17 , comprising after the drawing in of the sample, returning the insertion head to the extended position. 
     
     
         19 . The sample insertion method of  claim 12 , wherein during the retracting from the extended position the sample probe is stationary. 
     
     
         20 . The sample insertion method of  claim 12 , wherein the coupling of a sample container to the insertion head comprises coupling a syringe to the insertion head, and the insertion member comprises a port or a penetrable membrane. 
     
     
         21 . A method of operating a diagnostic analyzer, comprising:
 providing a diagnostic analyzer having an apparatus housing, the diagnostic analyzer including a sample insertion apparatus;   providing a sample container containing a volume of a sample;   coupling the sample container to the sample insertion apparatus, the coupling positioning the sample container substantially external to the apparatus housing; and   hands-free retracting at least a portion of the sample container within the apparatus housing to insert a sample probe into the sample container,   wherein the sample probe is contained entirely within the apparatus housing at all times.   
     
     
         22 . The method of operating a diagnostic analyzer of  claim 21 , wherein an insertion head of the sample insertion apparatus is at least partially located external to the apparatus housing.